Supervisor
Nellis called the Work Session of the Eden Town Board to order at 7:37 P.M.

Pledge of Allegiance:

Supervisor
Nellis led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag followed by a
moment of silence in honor of our Town.

Supervisor
Nellis stated that Councilman Vacco was excused from the work session for he is
currently representing the Town of Eden
at the New York State Association of Town Governments in New
York City as a delegate.

New and Unfinished Business:

1.) Proposal – Internet Program

Supervisor
Nellis turned to Councilwoman Pew to explain the proposal.Councilwoman Pew explained that she has
researched the pricing for Internet access for Town employees currently on the
network.There are a variety of ranges
and Councilwoman Pew expressed concern regarding security issues in having
Internet access.Based on the research
that Councilwoman Pew conducted and the pricing, Councilwoman Pew recommended
that the Town Board go with Bits & Bytes Computer who currently is the
Town’s technical experts.The Town would
utilize their dial-up service at a cost of $14.95 per month.She explained that there is Internet access
that is free, however they have a lot of advertising on them, they are slow and
there is the risk of security.Bits
& Bytes Computer will guarantee the Town’s security issues.By going with Bits & Bytes Computer there
would be no need of extra phone lines.There are currently twelve phone lines running into the Town Hall and
the Town would have to install more phone lines for everyone to have direct
access if the Town goes with another service.Through Bits & Bytes Computer, a software package will be needed
which is the Wingate Internet software package that Bits & Bytes Computer
recommends and the price is $299.00.

Councilwoman
Pew also recommended since the Town of Eden
web site has been down due to the hosting site “Paradox” going out of business, that the Town look into a web host site done by
Bits & Bytes Computer at a cost of $240.00 a year.This would include up to 10 mega bytes of
storage and $10.00 per mega byte for each additional mega byte.Councilwoman Pew felt that currently the Town
of Eden’s web site would hold no
more than 10 mega bytes at this time.

Councilman
Krycia asked how many of the items mentioned by Councilwoman Pew are one time only charges and which will be incurred every year.Councilwoman Pew explained the following:

Wingate
Internet Software Package at $299.00 – one time

Installation
at $200.00 – one time

Dial-up
service at $14.95 per month totaling $179.40 per year

Town
of Eden web site posting at
$240.00 per year

Councilwoman Pew went on to
explain that the annual cost would be $419.40.Councilwoman Pew also stated that with “Paradox” the Town hasn’t had to
pay the past three years for the web host site.

Councilwoman Pew also stated that
she is still exploring the possibility of Level 3 Communications with the fiber
optics going along the railroad and Adelphia Cable, she has not ruled out using
them.Councilwoman Pew explained that
the Town Hall has category 5 wiring already running into the building that
would allow connection to either one.The Town is not locked into the proposal of Bits & Bytes Computer, it is to get the Town up and running for now with
out having to put in more phone lines.

Supervisor
Nellis asked if the Town is required to sign a one-year contract for the
dial-up service.Councilwoman Pew
explained that Bits & Bytes Computer requires that the Town at least pay in
three-month increments.

Wilbert
Smutz of 3094 East Church Street
asked if the $14.95 per month was for each computer in the Town.Councilwoman Pew answered “no” and explained
that the Wingate Internet Software Package is going to utilize one modem and it
would serve as a ten-user license.The
software is paying for the number of users for the Internet.

Councilman
Zittel asked what the potential usage of the Town of Eden
website would be or what kind of audience it might be serving for this kind of
investment, how many residents are using the Town of Eden
website. Councilwoman Pew explained that
the Town of Eden web site is widely
used and forever growing from the Eden Alumni to organizations within the
school.Councilwoman Pew also expressed
excitement on the possibility of having access to the GIS system without
incurring cost for a user license fee for each user.This would allow each user through the
Internet access to the GIS system more available.

Councilwoman
Pew also stated that Town committees would also have access to the Internet by
using the computer in the conference room.

MOTION was made by Councilwoman Pew to accept the
proposal from Bits & Bytes Computer for $918.40 to purchase Wingate
Internet Gateway ten user license software for $299.00 which includes internet
security, installation set-up charge of $200.00, internet dial-up service at
$14.95 per month at a total of $179.40 for twelve months and web posting at
$240.00 per year of up to 10 mega bytes; seconded by Councilman Zittel.Before being put to a vote Supervisor Nellis
asked Councilwoman Pew if she was suggesting that the Town purchase
the Internet dial-up service for one year at $179.40.Councilwoman Pew rescinded her statement and
stated not to exceed $918.40 until there is further investigation on whether or
not the dial-up service can be done monthly.The Motion was then put to vote; All – “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain?
– None; Motion carried.

Supervisor
Nellis stated that the Town received the money last month and realized that a
resolution was needed to execute the program.

Councilman
Krycia read the following RESOLUTION:

WHEREAS, the Town of Eden
has been notified that the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee will fund the
above project in the amount of $9,000.00; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Eden
has previously participated in this project with much success; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Eden
is eager to continue its participation in this program in order to increase the
usage of seatbelt and child restraints throughout our community;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Supervisor Glenn R.
Nellis be authorized to execute the agreement between
the Town of Eden and the State of New
York for participation in the Governor’s Traffic
Safety Committee’s Seat Belt/Child Restraint Use & Compliance Project
commencing October 1, 1999.

Supervisor
Nellis read a letter received from the Eden Historical Review Board with the
recommendations for reappointment for a two-year term of the following:

Barbara Brandt

Robert Law

Robert Stievater

MOTION was made by Councilwoman Pew, as recommended
by the Eden Historical Preservation Review Board, to reappoint Barbara Brandt,
Robert Law and Robert Stievater for a two-year term; seconded by Councilman
Krycia; All – “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

MOTION was made by Councilman Zittel, as recommended
by the Eden Historical Preservation Review Board, to appoint Robert Stievater
Chairman to the Eden Historical Preservation Review Board for one year;
seconded by Councilman Krycia; All – “Ayes”; Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None;
Motion carried.

4.) Ad for EdenSenior High School
Musical “The Wiz”

Supervisor
Nellis requested that the Town purchase a half page ad for the program for the
Eden Senior High School Musical “The Wiz” in the amount of $30.00.The musical is being held March 10th,
11th & 12th.

MOTION was made by Councilman Zittel to approve the
expenditure of $30.00 for a half page ad in the Eden Senior High School
Musical, “The Wiz” program; seconded by Councilman Krycia; All – “Ayes”;
Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

Supervisor’s Report:

Supervisor
Nellis reported that the archaeological study for Water District #4 would start
Friday, February 25 due to the melting of the snow.Supervisor Nellis stated that the study could
not be done until the snow had melted and with the weather this week the study
could begin as early as Friday.

Councilman
Zittel expressed concern with the increase cost that the Water authority is
taxing the Town for per hydrant usage that have been
quite staggering for the community.Councilman
Zittel stated that it costs the Town between $45,000.00 to
$50,000.00 a year for the hydrants.Councilman Zittel stated that he is not advocating that the Town get rid
of the hydrants, he feels that the hydrants are
necessary.Every time a waterline or
development is put in, the hydrants are being placed every 500 feet.Councilman Zittel stated that he has spoken
with the Fire Chief and the code enforcement officer that up to 1000 feet would
be adequate.We could cut the number in
half if the Town is interested and research is being done to check with the
State, insurance companies to be sure the Town does not violate the usage of
the hydrants.The Fire Chief felt that
with the trucks that have been purchased, they have the longer hoses to support
the footage.

Andrew
Reilly, Town Engineer stated that it was a good idea and that it is a common
practice in rural areas to place the hydrants every 1200 feet.There was discussion of the possibility to
take hydrants out of service and that it would be something worth checking into
as the Town proceeds with the new water district.

Supervisor
Nellis stated that the Town would communicate the information to John Reid of R
& D Engineering so that he could report on it at the next Town Board
meeting.

Lastly
Supervisor Nellis reported that the audit by Fox & Company is almost
complete and will be ready to forward to Albany
by March 1, 2000.Copies for review by the Town Board would
possibly be ready by June 2000.

Hearing of Visitors:

Ruth Szalasny
of 3048 Belknap Road

Presentation – Video Tape on Land Use

Supervisor
Nellis began the video presentation at 8:03 P.M.Andrew Reilly explained that the presentation
promotes the improvement of space and shows the technique of achieving the
goals.

Adjournment:

MOTION was made by Councilman Zittel to adjourn the
Eden Town Board Work Session; seconded by Councilwoman Pew; All – “Ayes”;
Opposed? – None; Abstain? – None; Motion carried.

Supervisor
Nellis adjourned the Eden Town Board Work Session at 10:10 P.M.

Respectfully
submitted by,

Mary
Jo Hultquist

Town
Clerk

Town
of Eden, Town Hall, 2795 East Church Street, Eden, New York 14057-0156
Phone: 716 992-3408 Fax: 716 992-4131 Contact Us